A growing car park QR scam has left a victim bewildered after being unknowingly signed up for a gaming service. The scam involves fraudsters placing fake QR codes on parking meters, which, when scanned, redirect drivers to a bogus website. Believing it to be a legitimate platform for parking payments, the victim entered their details, only to find themselves enrolled in an unwanted gaming subscription with recurring charges.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, was initially confused when they received an unexpected email confirming their subscription to a gaming service they had no intention of signing up for. Upon further investigation, they realized that the QR code they scanned while paying for parking had secretly redirected them to a third-party site. The site then prompted them to enter payment details, leading to the unwanted subscription.
Experts say that this scam is a new variation of previous QR code fraud schemes, which have been on the rise as more people use their phones for contactless payments. Scammers are taking advantage of drivers' trust in QR codes, which are often associated with convenience and security. Instead of taking them to a payment gateway, the fraudulent codes redirect users to dubious websites designed to steal personal information or enroll them in hidden subscriptions.
Authorities are now warning the public to be cautious when scanning QR codes in public spaces, especially those that seem out of place or offer suspicious links. It’s advised that users always verify the legitimacy of any website before entering payment details or agreeing to subscriptions.
This scam has raised serious concerns about the security of QR code payments, pushing for more robust safeguards to prevent such fraud from occurring. As investigations continue, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of scanning QR codes without verifying their authenticity.